Stay Safe Online: How to Identify and Avoid Deepfake Calls and Scams

In the realm of artificial intelligence, there are limitations even for modern AI. While it can replicate voices and faces, it struggles with spontaneous reactions, accurate movement calculations, and maintaining a believable narrative. These weaknesses present opportunities for detection, as a scam attempt can often be exposed in just a matter of seconds.

The 3-finger trick: How to expose many video deepfakes in seconds

A simple yet effective test to uncover video deepfakes involves asking the person on a suspicious call to hold up three fingers in front of their face. This seemingly mundane action can trip up deepfake systems, causing blurred fingers, glitchy images, or unnatural transitions.

While the ‘three-finger trick’ is not foolproof due to advancements in deepfake technology and potential image glitches, it serves as a valuable warning signal. Visual anomalies should be regarded with caution, along with other indicators of deception.

Outwitting audio deepfakes: Throw fraudsters off their game

In the case of audio-only calls, disrupting fraudsters’ scripted routines can be a powerful defense. By deviating from their anticipated responses and creating unpredictability, you can unsettle even the most sophisticated AI-generated voices or traditional scammers.

Ask questions that can’t be Googled

To outsmart scammers, ask personalized questions that cannot be easily researched online. Information that has never been shared on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook is more likely to catch fraudsters off guard and reveal their deceptive intentions.